The CPD-Accredited Proofreading Course with a Route to Paid Work
Learn to find and fix errors in any kind of writing, at your own pace, with 1:1 support from tutors who’ve done the job. Over 9,000 people have taken Becoming A Proofreader since 2017. Pass it and Becoming An Editor with 80% or more, and you can start paid work with our partner, Proofed, within weeks.
- CPD accredited
- Self-paced learning
- Lifetime access
- Certificate of completion
- 1:1 tutor support
- Part of our Proofed work guarantee
Open Doors with In-Demand Proofreading Skills
Love reading and writing and often find yourself spotting errors? Our industry-leading proofreading course will help you put that habit to good use!
Becoming A Proofreader teaches you the foundations of spelling and grammar, and it also covers the nuances of style and substance that you need to know to elevate all kinds of writing to a higher standard. Through 13 comprehensive modules and dozens of practice-based exercises, you’ll learn how to:
Is Becoming A Proofreader Right for You?
You don’t need any qualifications or experience to start. Here’s who the course suits, and when another course is the better choice.
It’s a great fit if…
You spot errors without trying, you’re new to proofreading or want proper training, and you’d like flexible work you can do from home or while traveling.
You’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with the full version of Microsoft Word.
You’ll be able to…
Proofread business content such as reports, web pages, sales copy, and resumes, as well as creative and academic writing, in US or UK English. Follow a client’s style guide and work confidently in Word, Google Docs, and PDFs.
The last module covers finding work and pricing your services.
Consider a bundle if…
You also want to improve how writing reads, not just correct it. That’s editing, which Becoming An Editor covers, and you need both courses for guaranteed work with Proofed.
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Since 2017, our flagship proofreading course has helped over 9,000 people achieve their career goals – whether that’s gaining extra income, greater flexibility, or a more rewarding work life.
Why Choose Becoming A Proofreader?
13 modules, 78 lessons, and dozens of practice-based exercises
Our proofreading course shows you exactly what it takes to become a successful freelance proofreader. You’ll learn the skills, tools, and workflows professionals use every day – and go from beginner to job-ready.
CPD-Accredited Proofreading Training
Learn about common mistakes, working to style guides, the differences between US and UK English, useful shortcuts, and the nuances of proofreading different types of writing, from business reports, web pages, and sales copy to creative and academic work.
Designed to Keep You Engaged
You won’t just read about proofreading – you’ll do it! Watch how-to videos on key Microsoft Word tools, complete quick quizzes – on grammar, punctuation, and more – and then tackle try-it-yourself exercises where you proofread example texts.
Built by Proofreading Experts
Explore materials carefully crafted by experienced proofreaders whose love of language served as a launchpad for their own careers – and who understand exactly what real client work involves.
Enjoy 1:1 Tutor Support
Our friendly, knowledgeable tutors genuinely want to see you succeed. Contact them anytime for one-on-one guidance and support. After receiving your final assignment results, you’ll have a call with a tutor who will give you detailed, tailored feedback.
Learn When It Suits You
There’s no pressure and no ticking clocks. With total control over your training, you can complete the course in a few weeks or in six months if life is busy. When you’re finished, you can come back to it anytime.
A Pathway to Paid Work
Becoming A Proofreader is the first step. Complete Becoming An Editor too, scoring at least 80% in both final assignments, and you’ll be eligible to onboard with Proofed – one of the world’s leading editing agencies – and start getting paid to proofread real client documents.
Try It: How Many Errors Can You Spot?
This is the kind of exercise you’ll do throughout the course. The passage below has eight errors and one style choice that a careful proofreader would query rather than correct. How many can you find?
Its never been easier to start a business from home. Many of our clients tell us that there first year was the hardest, but by the end of it they had built a loyal customer base. If your planning to launch in the Spring, you’ll need a website, a logo and a clear pricing structure. Each of these elements effect how customers see your brand. Below, the founder’s of three succesful companies share there advice.
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Show the eight errors
- Its → It’s. “It’s” is short for “it has” here; “its” without an apostrophe is possessive.
- there first year → their first year. “Their” shows possession.
- your planning → you’re planning. “You’re” means “you are.”
- the Spring → the spring. Seasons are lowercase unless they start a sentence or form part of a name.
- effect → affects. “Affect” is the verb here (“effect” is usually the noun), and “each” takes a singular verb.
- founder’s → founders. It should be a plural, not a possessive.
- succesful → successful. Spell-check would catch this one, but it misses real words used wrongly, like errors 1 to 6.
- there advice → their advice. The same error as number 2. When you find one, search for more.
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Show the style choice
“A website, a logo and a clear pricing structure” has no comma before “and” (the serial or Oxford comma). That’s correct in many styles but wrong in others, so a proofreader checks the client’s style guide and the rest of the document, then makes it consistent. It’s a style query, not an automatic error.
Knowing when something is a choice rather than a mistake is what separates a professional proofreader from a good speller, and it’s a big part of what the course teaches.
Becoming A Proofreader Course Curriculum
Want to know exactly what’s inside? Here’s a full description of all 13 expert-written, information-packed modules.
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Module 1: An Introduction To Becoming A Proofreader
See module detailsReady to begin your journey into proofreading? This short module will give you a clear roadmap for the course, helping you understand how to navigate the lessons, complete interactive elements, and access support. With this groundwork in place, you’ll be set up for success as you get started with Becoming A Proofreader.
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Module 2: Proofreading And Editing
See module detailsWhat exactly does proofreading involve – and how does it differ from editing? This module clears up common misconceptions and helps you understand the scope of proofreading services. We’ll explain the different types of editing, key proofreading responsibilities, and what to expect when working with clients as a freelancer.
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Module 3: The Basics Of Microsoft Word
See module detailsMicrosoft Word is an important tool for proofreaders – but do you know how to make the most of its features? This module walks you through essential functions such as Track Changes, Compare, and Comments, helping you work efficiently and communicate clearly with clients. Follow step-by-step guidance for Windows and Mac computers, and gain the technical skills needed to handle proofreading projects like a pro.
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Module 4: Common Spelling Mistakes
See module detailsEven the best writers can slip up on spelling, so a proofreader needs a sharp eye for common errors. This module breaks down frequently misspelled words, tricky homophones, and regional spelling differences, giving you the knowledge to spot mistakes with confidence. With simple rules and helpful explanations, you’ll build a solid foundation for catching and correcting spelling errors with ease.
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Module 5: Common Grammar Mistakes
See module detailsWith so many rules (and exceptions!), it can be easy to get tripped up with grammar. This module breaks down key principles into bitesize pieces so you can recognize and fix common errors such as faulty agreement, parallelism issues, and misplaced modifiers. Complete the manageable lessons and practical exercises to gain the skills to proofread with confidence.
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Module 6: Common Punctuation Mistakes
See module detailsIt may just look like small marks on the page, but punctuation makes a big impact! This module breaks down the most common punctuation pitfalls, helping you master commas, colons, apostrophes, and more. With clear explanations and practical tips, you’ll learn how to apply punctuation with precision and polish any piece of writing.
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Module 7: Other Common Errors
See module detailsProofreading isn’t just about catching mistakes in spelling and grammar. Elements such as abbreviations, numbers, and capitalization make a big difference in the clarity and professionalism of a document. That’s why this module explains the rules and describes frequently overlooked errors so you can apply the right conventions with confidence and ensure consistency across any text.
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Module 8: Proofreading In Practice: Style
See module detailsThis module explores key style considerations – from tone and formality to sentence flow and structure – so you can adapt to proofread different types of writing. You’ll also learn how to use style guides and sheets effectively, ensuring every text meets the right standards.
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Module 9: Academic Proofreading
See module detailsAcademic writing follows its own set of rules, and proofreading these documents requires a careful balance between clarity and scholarly integrity. This module introduces you to the conventions of academic language, citation rules, and common style preferences. You’ll learn how to refine essays, journal articles, and dissertations without straying into editing, meaning you can navigate this niche with confidence.
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Module 10: Academic Proofreading: Referencing And Citations
See module detailsReferencing is a cornerstone of academic writing, as it ensures clarity and credibility. As a proofreader, you don’t need to memorize every referencing style – but you do need to recognize key differences and spot inconsistencies. This module introduces you to major citation systems, including Harvard, APA, and MLA, giving you the knowledge to proofread references accurately and efficiently without overstepping academic boundaries.
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Module 11: Creative Writing And The Publishing Industry
See module detailsThis module explores the role of proofreaders in the publishing process, the unique challenges of working with authors, and specific techniques for correcting manuscripts, scripts, and screenplays, including how to mark up PDFs in Adobe. Creative writing requires a unique approach to preserve the author’s voice while ensuring clarity and consistency, and through these lessons you’ll learn how to handle creative projects with care and professionalism.
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Module 12: Proofreading Business Writing
See module detailsFrom corporate reports to marketing copy, business writing comes in many forms – and proofreaders need to adapt to different styles and formats. This module covers the essentials of proofreading business documents, including how to follow client briefs and style guides. You’ll also learn how to proofread in PowerPoint, Excel, and Google Docs, equipping you with the skills to work with a wide range of professional content.
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Module 13: Finding Work And The Final Assignment
See module detailsThis final module offers advice for marketing your services and finding work as a proofreader. Then, it’s time to prepare for the final assignment! With a practice test, an on-demand webinar, and a list of the top areas to review, you’ll be ready to take the assignment and complete the Becoming A Proofreader course.
What Happens When You Enroll
Here’s what to expect, from your first lesson to paid work.
Start right away
You get lifetime access as soon as you enroll. You’ll study in US English unless you ask us to switch you to the UK version. Both versions teach US and UK conventions.
Learn by doing
Work through 13 modules and 78 lessons with how-to videos, quick quizzes, and try-it-yourself exercises. On average, learners finish in 30–50 hours.
Ask a tutor anytime
Contact our tutors whenever you need 1:1 help. Every one of them trained with Knowadays.
Pass your final assignment
Proofread a final assignment, then talk through your results with a tutor on a call. Pass, and you’ll get a CPD-accredited certificate. Want a higher score? You can buy up to two more attempts.
Start paid work
Pass Becoming An Editor too, with 80% or more in both, to join Proofed as a freelancer if you live in an eligible country, with feedback on your first 15 documents. Or use what the course teaches about finding clients to work for yourself.
Success Stories from Our Graduates
Over 9,000 people have trained with Becoming A Proofreader. Read how graduates such as Steven, Ateeb, and Melissa built flexible careers editing for Proofed.
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Steven
The Retired Teacher
“There’s been no shortage of work. So I’ve been able to do exactly what I wanted, which was work as much or as little as I choose. So yeah, all around, it’s been a great experience.”
- Courses
- Proofreading Course + Editing Course
- Time to qualify
- 6 months
- Avg. weekly hours at Proofed
- 15
- Proofed clients
- 3
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Ateeb
Turning a Hobby Into Income
“To be honest, I never imagined this journey would turn out to be even half as rewarding as it has been. Working with Proofed has genuinely changed a lot for me – and all in the best ways.”
- Courses
- The Proofreader & Editor Course Bundle
- Time to qualify
- 4 months
- Avg. weekly hours at Proofed
- 20
- Proofed clients
- 4
Meet the Tutors Who’ll Support You
Every one of our tutors trained with Knowadays, and most have gone on to edit for Proofed, so they know exactly what you’re working toward. They answer your questions 1:1 throughout the course and give you feedback on your final assignment.
A few of the people you’ll work with. You can meet the whole team on our About Us page.
Becca Roberts
Becca took Becoming A Proofreader in 2020, worked with Proofed, and joined Knowadays in 2021. She now leads our tutor team.
Operations & Tutor Lead
Emily Numa
Emily has a degree in English and a master’s in education. She completed Becoming A Proofreader in 2021 and also works at Proofed.
Tutor
Myra Ingmanson
Myra taught English and academic writing in China, South Korea, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. She now works with Knowadays and Proofed.
Tutor
FAQs About Becoming A Proofreader
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How does this proofreading course work?
Becoming A Proofreader has 13 modules, each covering a different part of the job. Every module mixes short lessons with how-to videos, quizzes, and practice documents, none of which count toward your grade.
When you’re ready, you take a practice test, then proofread your final assignment, with no time limit. A tutor grades it, gives you detailed feedback, and talks it through with you on a call.
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Who is this proofreading course for?
Anyone who wants to work as a proofreader, whether that’s a full career change, a side income, or flexible work around family life or travel. You’ll learn to proofread business content such as reports, web pages, and sales copy, as well as creative and academic writing.
It’s also useful for writers, marketers, and anyone whose job involves getting written work right.
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How long does the course take? Are there any deadlines?
Most learners finish in 30–50 hours, but there are no deadlines or time limits, even on the final assignment.
You get lifetime access, so you can study at your own pace, take a break when life gets busy, and come back to any lesson for a refresher after you’ve finished.
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Do I need any qualifications or experience?
No. The course takes you from complete beginner to trained professional, so you don’t need a degree or any proofreading experience. You’ll need basic computer skills, such as opening and saving documents.
If English isn’t your first language, you can still take the course, but passing the final assignment calls for an excellent command of written English.
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What equipment do I need?
You’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with an internet connection and the full version of Microsoft Word (Office 2016, 2019, or 2021, or Microsoft 365). You can view lessons on a phone, tablet, or Chromebook, but they don’t have the Word tools you need for the exercises and final assignment.
Full Word is also required to work with Proofed, and many clients will expect it.
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Do I get a certificate? Is the course accredited?
Yes. Becoming A Proofreader is accredited by the CPD Certification Service, which independently checks the quality of professional training.
Pass your final assignment, and you’ll receive a digital certificate with the CPD stamp. Add it to your resume, website, or LinkedIn profile to show clients and employers what you can do.
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Am I guaranteed work with Proofed?
Yes, if you pass both this course and Becoming An Editor with 80% or more. You can start paid work with Proofed within weeks, with feedback on your first 15 documents.
Proofed work is freelance: you choose how much you take on, and the work available varies. It’s open to people in eligible countries. Scored under 80%? You can buy up to two more attempts, and the guarantee works the same way. Read more about guaranteed work.
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Will AI replace proofreaders?
No – if anything, AI has made skilled proofreaders more necessary. It drafts quickly, but its output is full of repetition, inconsistencies, and errors that are easy to miss because the text sounds polished.
Businesses publishing AI-assisted content need people who can check every sentence for accuracy, clarity, and consistency with their style. Becoming A Proofreader trains you to do exactly that.
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How much can proofreaders earn?
It depends on your experience, the client, and the type of work. The EFA (US) found average rates of $35–$60 an hour, and the CIEP (UK) suggests a minimum of £29.85 an hour.
New proofreaders usually start lower and raise their rates as they gain experience. Read more about proofreading rates.
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How do I get my first proofreading job?
Pass both Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with 80% or more, and you can start paid work with Proofed within weeks.
To find your own clients, the last module covers where to find proofreading jobs, how to market your services, and how to set your rates. Becoming A Freelancer covers setting up your own business.
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Who can I talk to about the course?
Email us at [email protected] with any questions, or ask to schedule a chat with one of the team. Our tutors all trained with Knowadays, so they know exactly what the course involves.
You can also try two lessons for free or visit our main FAQ page.
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